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Journalists encourage quality news through strong standardised ethics

  • Ian Isaiah Anak Danald
  • Nov 5, 2021
  • 3 min read

Currently there is an absence of a standardised set of ethics for the media to self-regulate their content, and the industry is without an oversight body that regulates its practices.


These critical points were presented during the webinar ‘Media Ethics and Journalism in Malaysia’ organised by Asia Centre in collaboration with School of Media and Communication of Taylor’s University (SOMAC) on 12 October.


The quality of journalism in Malaysia is reflected through the conduct of its journalists and their adherence to ethical standards and principles.


Aspiring journalists, and journalists themselves need to ensure that they are constantly developing and practicing a strong set of ethics for the purpose of reforming Malaysian journalism and return public confidence on the quality of news published.


Dr. James Gomez and Dr. Robin Ramcharan (top left), Dr. Benjamin YH Loh (top middle), Philip Gan Chee Keat (top right), Dr. Charmnan Ngammaneeudom (middle left), Wathshlah Naidu (middle centre), Zurairi A. R. (middle right), and Tehmina Kaoosji (bottom middle) engaging in a discussion | Source © asiacentre.org

The event began with welcoming remarks by the advisor at the Thai Media Fund Dr. Charmnan Ngammaneeudom, and Programme Director at the School of Media & Communication at Taylor’s University Philip Gan Chee Keat.


Following the welcoming remarks, a group of panellists including Executive Director of the Centre for Independent Journalism Wathshlah Naidu, independent broadcast journalist Tehmina Kaoosji, SOMAC senior lecturer and Asia Centre associate Dr. Benjamin YH Loh, and news editor from the Malay Mail Zurairi A. R. set the stage to discuss how to strengthen Malaysian journalism through improving the standard of ethics and restoring the public’s confidence in the media.


On account of the divisiveness in the field of journalism, the panelists shared their concerns and opinions during the one and a half hour virtual event.


Dr. Charmnan expressed the issue of opinions undermining facts in mainstream media, affecting the journalists’ ability to report the news truthfully.


He said, “The situation whereby truth and accuracy in news reports have been turned into storytelling.”


Philip spoke on the issue of the need for reliable sources in the midst of fake news, and noted that journalists should maintain tight principles of honesty and integrity in their investigations.


Wathshlah addressed a lack of Right to Information (RTI) legislation stating that an absence of such policies compromises a journalist's ability to report freely and independently.


She added that media ownership in Malaysia, which more often than not, is affiliated with certain political leanings, influences the kind of stories that are published, the angle that's taken, and the ethics that are at play in these instances.


Tehmina touched on the bias regarding female journalists as they are commonly attacked on their legitimacy as a reporter.


Further, she added that strong female mentors can provide more aspiring young females to become journalists and combat female underrepresentation in the media industry.


Dr. Benjamin expressed his wishes for Malaysian journalists to draw upon the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.


Zurairi drew attention to media outlets breaching ethical considerations by quoting non-experts, and thus transforming them into unnecessary authoritative voices. He specified the breach through the case of Nur Sajat.


Participant Zoe Teo said, “I believe there is a definite lack of ethics in our media today.”


To me, the absence of a governing body could be caused by a lack of concern for the quality of journalism in Malaysia as well as a lack of awareness about the importance of honest and good quality journalism.”


This webinar marks the commencement of the collaboration between the School of Media and Communication at Taylor’s University Malaysia and Asia Centre on a joint report on internet freedoms in Malaysia.


A recording of the event can be found in Asia Centre’s YouTube channel here.


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